Three dimensional photo voltaic modules in an energy reception panel

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for receiving energy is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a support base and a plurality of cells. The support base comprises an electric terminal. The plurality of cells are mounted to the support base. Further, each of the plurality of cells is electrically connected to the electric terminal disposed on the support base. Finally, each of the plurality of cells is oriented in a non-parallel relationship with each neighboring cell.

CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATION

The Present Invention claims priority to previously-filed U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/971,941, filed on Sept. 13, 2007.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The Present Invention relates to the efficient development of solarenergy, and more particularly, to an apparatus for increasing theefficiency of photo voltaic cells in a solar energy reception panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Photo voltaic systems, which are developed and utilized for generatingelectric power through the conversion of radiant energy—preferably solarenergy, although other sources of radiant or other energy may beapplicable—into electricity, are currently known. In such systems, theentire structure of which is sometimes known as an energy receivingpanel, a substantially flat portion, or support base, is placed on topof a stationary structure, such as the roof of a building.Alternatively, the support base may be placed on a movable structure,such as a calculator, watch, automobile, etc.

Additionally, energy receiving panels can be used with “trackingsystems”—an ancillary system used to orient the energy receiving panelsaccording to the changing position of the sun, or in line with thehighest and/or brightest energy source, during the course of the day orother temporal period.

Within the support base is disposed the circuitry and/or other similardevices by which the radiant energy—received, or absorbed, by the energyreceiving panels from the energy source—is converted into electricity.Alternatively, this circuitry and/or these devices may be disposed in aremote location; in which case, they would be in electricalcommunication with the support base.

Coupled to the support base of the energy receiving panel are aplurality of energy receiving cells. Each energy receiving cell, whichis traditionally substantially rectangular in nature, is disposed in aparallel planar relationship with each other and with the support base.As a result of the static physical disposition of the energy receivingcells, efficiency of absorption of energy suffers as the energy sourcemoves above the energy receiving panels, i.e., as the sun rotates fromeast to west above the energy receiving panels. Further, the “flatness,”or planar nature, of the energy receiving cells limits the amount ofsurface area that is directly exposed to the energy source at any givenpoint in time. Consequently, when the efficiency of absorption of theenergy receiving cells suffers, coupled with a less than optimum time ofdirect exposition to radiant energy, the amount of generated electricityis reduced. Thus, the use of such energy receiving panels for thegeneration of electricity has been mainly limited by the poor efficiencyand high exploitation costs of the energy receiving cells, as well asthe reduced utility of the surface area due to the “flatness” of theenergy receiving cells.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved energy receivingpanel which provides a greater efficiency of absorption, resulting in agreater generation of electricity, by overcoming the disadvantages inthe currently-used devices.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The Present Invention overcomes the disadvantages in the currently-useddevices by providing an apparatus geared towards, inter alia, theincreased absorption of radiant energy from an energy source. In turn,the Present Invention allows for a greater amount of electricity to begenerated. The Present Invention achieves this by, inter alia,eliminating the “flatness” of the present devices and provides a threedimensional absorption means. As a result, not only is the potentiallyabsorbable surface area increased (while retaining the same length andwidth dimensions) vis-à-vis currently-used devices, but the PresentInvention allows for the direct exposure with the light source for amuch greater amount of time than currently-used devices.

To this end, an apparatus for receiving radiant energy is disclosed. Theapparatus comprises a support base and a plurality of energy receivingcells. The support base comprises an electric terminal. The plurality ofenergy receiving cells are mounted to the support base. Further, each ofthe plurality of energy receiving cells is electrically connected to theelectric terminal disposed on the support base. Finally, each of theplurality of energy receiving cells is oriented in a non-parallelrelationship with each neighboring energy receiving cell.

In essence, the Present Invention is able to provide a more efficientmeans of receiving and absorbing energy than the energy receiving cellscurrently in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the energy receiving panel,manufactured in accordance with the tenets and teachings of the PresentInvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of energy receiving cells, used inconjunction with the solar energy receiving panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one energy receiving cell ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a footprint of the energy receiving cell of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrated embodiments of the Present Invention are directed to anapparatus for receiving radiant energy from a radiant energy source,such as the sun or any other radiant energy source, and having theability to convert the received energy into electricity.

The technology of photo voltaics is an electricity-generating technologyin which energy is absorbed and converted into electrical power. In itsmost common form, photo voltaics provides a method for generatingelectrical power by using photo voltaic modules, or energy receivingcells, often electrically coupled in plurality, as photo voltaic arrays,and configured to receive and convert energy from the sun (or any otherradiant energy source) into electricity. A plurality of energy receivingcells structurally coupled together forms an energy receiving panel.Further, the photo voltaic device within each energy receiving cellreceives, or absorbs, the energy, generally through the transduction ofradiant energy through the photo voltaic module. In turn, the energyreceiving cell generates electricity.

Energy receiving cells produce Direct Current (“DC”) electricity fromradiant energy, which can be used for a variety of electrical uses, suchas to power electrical and/or electronic equipment or to recharge abattery. Although the initial practical application of photo voltaicswas to power orbiting satellites and other spacecraft—as well as pocketcalculators and wrist watches, today the majority of solar energyreceiving panels are used for grid-connected power generation. Further,stand-alone power generation, such as that necessary for an automobile,have shown a desire for photo voltaics. In these case, an inverter maybe required to convert the DC electricity to the Alternating Current(“AC”) electricity.

Energy receiving cells require protection from the environment and aregenerally packaged, or encased, in a transparent material, usually, forexample behind a glass—or transparent plastic—sheet. Additionally, dueto the layout of the energy receiving cells, as set forth below, thematerial would also preferably be highly reflective and refractive, witha preference to a material having a reflection coefficient thatcoincides with the absorption rate of the energy receiving cells, so asto deflect any heat energy from the energy source toward a neighboringenergy receiving cell. In this manner, heat energy reflected from onecell may be absorbed by another cell, thereby increasing the efficiencyof the energy receiving cells of the Present Invention. Alternatively, areflective coating placed on the inside of the material would reflectany radiant energy from the energy receiving cells back to thatparticular cell. Finally, in lieu of a protective material, a protectivecoating, having all the attributes described above, may be placeddirectly on each energy receiving cell.

When more power is required than a single energy receiving cell candeliver, pluralities of energy receiving cells are electricallyconnected together to form energy receiving panels. Further, multipleenergy receiving panels can be arranged in arrays to address a furtherneed for power.

Structure-integrated photo voltaics are increasingly being incorporatedinto new buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electricalpower, and are one of the fastest growing segments of the photo voltaicindustry. Typically, an array of receiving energy panels is incorporatedinto the roof or walls of a building, and, in fact, roof tiles withintegrated energy receiving cells can now be purchased. Additionally,these arrays can include tracking devices to follow the radiant energysource. These arrays can also be retrofitted into existing buildings; inthis case they are usually fitted on top of the existing roof structure.Alternatively, an array can be located separately from the building butconnected by cable to supply power for the building. Finally, where abuilding is at a considerable distance from a public electricity supply(or grid)—such as in remote or mountainous areas, photo voltaics may bethe preferred possibility for generating electricity, or, alternatively,may be used together with wind, diesel generators and/or hydroelectricpower. In such off-grid circumstances, batteries may be used to storethe electric power.

Referring now to the Figures, in which like elements are represented bythe same reference numerals, an energy receiving panel is illustrated asreference numeral 10. Energy receiving panel 10 generally comprisessupport base 12 and a plurality of energy receiving cells 14.

Support base 12, as illustrated, acts as the supporting structure forenergy receiving panel 10. Further, support base 12 also includes anyand all currently-known electric connective devices to convert theradiant energy received and absorbed by plurality of energy receivingcells 14 into electricity.

Support base 12 is intended to be affixed or disposed on a structure sothat support base 12, and consequently energy receiving panel 10, willbe under the rays of the radiant energy source for any period of timeduring the course of a normal day. Additionally, it is intended thatenergy receiving panel 10 be disposed on a structure, such as a trackingdevice, allowing for a constantly changing tilt, in such a manner so asto maximize the amount of radiant energy received by energy receivingcells 14.

Each of plurality of energy receiving cells 14 is illustrated as beingof a hexagonal “footprint,” as disposed on support base 12. However,although the “footprint” of each energy receiving cell 14 is hexagonal,the physical shape of each energy receiving cell 14 is preferred to becubic, with each side of each energy receiving cell 14 being in aperpendicular relationship with each neighboring side.

FIG. 2 provides a detailed illustration of a plurality of energyreceiving cells 14. Referring to FIG. 2, it is illustrated that eachenergy receiving cell 14 is angled such that three sides are able toreceive and absorb radiant energy from the radiant energy source. Byproviding a three dimensional receptor, the Present Invention is able toprovide a more efficient means of receiving and absorbing radiant energythan the energy receiving cells currently in use. A discussion of theexperimentation which resulted in the design of the Present Invention isprovided, infra.

Although the general design of each energy receiving cell 14 inaccordance with the tenets and teachings of the Present Invention isthat of a cube, each of plurality of energy receiving cells 14 mayalternatively comprise any suitable polygonal shape having aninterlocking footprint, provided that such suitable shape be able to fitwithin the teachings and tenets of the Present Invention, including theability to provide increased efficiency. Further, the surface of energyreceiving cell 14 may further comprise either a concave or convexsurface.

In testing the Present Invention, the basic premise of the operation ofcurrently-known energy receiving cells were accepted. That is, energyreceiving cells are currently placed flat on a support base, which isthen disposed on the top of a structure or tracking device such that itwill receive radiant energy from a radiant energy source. Notably, theenergy receiving cells in use today are substantially flat objects, inthat, although they are obviously three dimensional, the sides of thecells do not provide a surface through which radiant energy may beabsorbed.

In accordance with the teachings and tenets of the Present Invention, anenergy receiving cell in the shape of an orthogonal projective geometrywas tested. More specifically, a regular hexahedron, such as a cube, wastested. Based on the testing, it was found that, if the cube was tiltedin a manner such that no side of the cube was parallel to the supportbase, an increase in the efficiency of radiant energy reception would berealized.

Another aspect concerning the Present Invention involves the propertythat the heating of an energy receiving cell itself causes a loss ofenergy output. To this end, additional testing indicated that, due tothe nature of the design of the cubes, including the perpendicularrelationship of the sides thereof, the surface (i.e., that which isabsorbent of the output of the energy source) of each energy receivingcell 14 remained cooler than the surfaces of the flat cells currently inuse in the industry. Further, the reduced temperature of the surfaceappears to remain also as compared to more acute-angled configurations.Consequently, the design contemplated by the Present Invention,including the angular relationship described herein, in light of thefact that the loss of energy output is reduced, results in a moreefficient configuration. This result is based on three principles.First, each energy receiving cell 14 of the Present Invention has alower profile due to its angular configuration. Consequently, each cell14 is less exposed to heat. Second, the properties of reflection causeheat to be distributed among the multiple surfaces of the collectiveenergy receiving cells 14. Third, due to the angular placement of eachenergy receiving cell 14, heat is actually reflected away from thesurfaces thereof (and, in turn, toward multiple neighboring surfaces).In this regard, and due to the inherent properties thereof, each cell 14possesses a reflective property that causes an energy source to reflectoff multiple surfaces, thus increasing the probability to generateenergy therefrom.

To provide the maximum increase in efficiency, it was determined thatthe use of a plurality of cubes—in particular, a plurality of six-sidedregular hexahedrons in which all sides are of equal length, width andarea, and all angles are of equal length—can be disposed in a mannersuch that a tiled, generally perpendicular plane is formed, although, asillustrated in the Figures, only one half of each hexahedron is exposedto the radiant energy source. Also referred to as an axonometricprojection, the disposition of the cubes in this manner represents avisual representation of a three-dimensional object in two dimensions inEuclidian space.

One cell, used in this manner, is illustrated in FIG. 3, and referencedas numeral 14. Referring to FIG. 3, it is illustrated that apex 16 ofcell 14 is disposed at the exact center of the illustrated object.Spawning from apex 16 are first, second and third sides 18, 20, 22. Eachof first, second and third sides 18, 20, 22 of cell 14 are of the samesize, as referenced above. It is understood that the “footprint” of cell14 resembles a hexagonal shape.

Further, each of first, second and third sides 18, 20, 22 of cell 14 arecomprised of any currently-known material which allows each side toreceive solar rays. Collectively, each of first, second and third sides18, 20, 22 of cell 14 represent the three dimensional surface area thatreceives the solar rays. Additionally, the outline edges of cell 14 ofFIG. 3 represents the aforementioned axonometric projection.

Further, it was determined that the process by which cell 14 is “turned”so that it is not flush against support base 12 increases the surfacearea that is exposed to radiant energy. This is due, primarily, to thegeometric nature of a cube versus that of a hexagon, which, as statedabove, is the “footprint” that results from the “turning” of cell 14 inthe manner illustrated in FIG. 4. A representation of this “footprint”is illustrated in FIG. 4 at reference numeral 24.

The general surface area of a cube is represented by the formula:Area=6a ²

where a represents the length of an edge. Further, since, according tothe Present Invention, the portions of the cube that would be visible ishalf of the total surface area of the cube. Thus, the surface area ofthe cube that is intended for use in the Present Invention isrepresented by the formula:

${Area} = {\frac{6a^{2}}{2} = {3a^{2}}}$

By contrast, the general surface area of a hexagon is represented by theformula:

${Area} = {{\frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}b^{2}} \approx {2.598076211b^{2}}}$

where b represents the length of a hexagon. In the initial aspect ofthis comparison, it is assumed that a is constant for both the cube andthe hexagon. If, for example, a and b equal 1 (i.e., the length of thecube edge is equal to the length of the hexagonal side), then thesurface area of the visible portions of the cube would be:Area=3a ²=3

And the surface area of the visible portion of the hexagon would be:

${Area} = {{\frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}b^{2}} \approx 2.598076}$

Therefore, the surface area of the cube is approximately 13.40% largerthan that of the hexagon. This occurs while, nevertheless, taking up thesame “footprint” on the solar energy receiving panel as the hexagon.

However, in actuality, when dealing with three dimensional space, whichis necessary when dealing with a projection of the cube, i.e., anaxonometric projection, there cannot be a 1:1 ratio between the length,a, of the cube and the length, b, of the hexagon. Rather, a side lengthof the resultant hexagonal “footprint” from an axonometric cubeprojection would be approximately 0.816497. Thus, the revised surfacearea of a hexagon would be:

${Area} = {{\frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}b^{2}} = 1.732049}$

The visible surface area of the cube would remain at 3. As a result ofthe teachings and tenets of the Present Invention, an increase in thesurface area of the “turned” cube compared to the “revised” hexagondescribed above comprises approximately 42.27%. In other words, thevisible cube space is approximately 42.27% greater than that of thesurface area of a flat hexagon.

As a result of the increase in surface area compared with that of a flathexagon, the Present Invention would provide an increase in surface areacompared to that of currently-known energy receiving panels.Consequently, an increase in the absorption of radiant energy was alsomeasured. Due to the angle of incident that results from the fact thatthe energy receiving panels of the Present Invention are disposed on thesupport base in a axonometric projection, there is a loss of efficiency.However, the loss of efficiency due to the angle of incident has beenmeasured at approximately 7-10%, meaning that the solar energy receivingpanels of the Present Invention operate at approximately 90-93%efficiency. This can even be reduced, as mentioned above, through theuse of a refractive coating on the energy receiving cells.

The disclosed Present Invention provides a photo voltaic array for usein a energy reception panel that increased the efficiency of currentdevices. It should be noted that the above-described and illustratedembodiments and preferred embodiments of the Present Invention are notan exhaustive listing of the forms the Present Invention might take;rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative embodiments of thePresent Invention as presently understood. Many other forms of thePresent Invention exist and are readily apparent to one having ordinaryskill in the art.

1. An apparatus for receiving radiant energy from a radiant energysource comprising: a support base, the support base comprising anelectric terminal; a plurality of cells mounted to the support base,each of the plurality of cells having a plurality of sides and beingelectrically coupled to the electric terminal; wherein each of theplurality of cells is oriented in a non-parallel relationship with eachneighboring cell, each cell is angled such that at least three sides ofeach cell are configured to receive radiant energy from said radiantenergy source, and the angling of each cell provides a footprintrelative to said support base that is different than the shape of thecell.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofcells is mounted in a perpendicular relationship with each neighboringcell.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the radiant energy source isthe sun.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality ofcells is encased by a protective material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the protective material is reflective.
 6. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the protective material is refractive.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein each of the plurality of cells further includes aprotective coating disposed thereon.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein the protective coating is reflective.
 9. The apparatus of claim7, wherein the protective coating is refractive.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 2, further comprising a tracking device disposed in communicationwith the support base.
 11. An apparatus for generating electricity froma radiant energy source comprising: a support base, the support basecomprising an electric terminal; and a plurality of cells mounted to thesupport base, each of the plurality of cells having at least three sidesand being electrically coupled to the electric terminal; wherein each ofthe plurality of cells is oriented in a non-parallel relationship witheach neighboring cell, each cell is angled and configured to receiveradiant energy from said radiant energy source for conversion intoelectricity, and the angling of each cell provides a footprint relativeto said support base that is different than the shape of the cell. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of cells ismounted in a perpendicular relationship with each neighboring cell. 13.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each cell provides a hexagonalfootprint relative to the support base.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein each of the plurality of cells is configured to be turned sothat it is not flush against the support base.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the surface area of each turned cell receivesapproximately 42.27% more radiant energy than a similarly sized andshaped cell that is disposed flush against the support base.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of cells arearranged substantially adjacent to a neighboring cell to substantiallyeliminate gaps therebetween.